Bottle feeding from day one............ i know, am already feeling guilty verbalising!

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I have decided to bottle feed from day one with our fourth and final baby. But am totally in the dark as to what I am meant to take into hospital 'bottle-wise'. How does it work? Do I take in my bottles and sterilising unit - which is a microwave sort - or do I take in sterilising tablets...? Whats the deal. Am kind of wavering here as it seems such a hassle. But then I think of my last 3 very slow feeders, and running around after them as well as fitting in regular feeding times then I get all flustered!
Has anyone else done it from day one, and knows what I should be taking in?
from one confused bedraggled mum! x

They usually supply disposable bottles with ready made feeds - but check because not all hospitals do.

BTW - as you're already wavering - have you considered talking to a bf counsellor about the slow feeding issue? She might suggest things you could do that would make breastfeeding better - like breast compression during a feed It's always worth remembering too that all babies are different. You might get lucky this time and get a baby who is a really efficient breastfeeder. Or you might get one who takes 40 minutes to take 3 oz from a bottle - which would be a major pain the bum if you need a hand free to deal with your other children.... Just a thought.

how about doing the first few feeds in the hospital as breastfeeds, so less hassle with bottles etc, then seeing how things go once you get home? are you having a c section? if not, you'll probably only be in for 6 hours or so

Babe's breech at the mo, and am off for a scan in a week to see if he's moved......
6hrs huh? That would be awsome! I've never stayed in for that shorter time! Am going to ring the hospital and find out about what they supply - not sure why I didn't do that in the first place! Brain is addled! durrr!

They provide you with milk in hospital

I too am thinking of bottle feeding this baby but am planning a homebirth so will have to get DH to sort the feeding side out!

My local hospital doesnt provide anything, and you have to use cartoons, not allowed to do power.
I would hve been home same day if DD2 hadnt been so little. Without sounding preachy, how come bottles staright off. Can understand as you have 3 others to care for, is hubby having some time off too?

Bring some cartons and disposable bottles in?

I was out after eight hours last time too.

And while I WAS in hospital, I just had a go at breastfeeding. For one whole day.

Both my hospitals had a supply of lots of different milk in disposable bottles. There is no hassle with this at all. It is ready at room temperature, and just needs to have the seal taken off the teat.
Nothing could be simpler. At one of the hospitals as well, they offer to take your baby for the whole night, if you want to catch up on your sleep.
I'm sure there are loads of Mners who would have something to say about that!

Once you get home, you just need couple of bottles, a kettle, sterilsier (electric/microwave/diswasher). It is soooo easy, used to take me about 15 mins per day to prepare all my feeds in advance for the day. You can get the DH to do this too.
For emergency use (or if you're loaded) you can buy ready mixed cartons. These are usefull if you're out for the day or visiting etc, as means you dont have to keep your made-up bottles in a fidge or cool box.

just to say MrsBoo that it's no longer recommended to make up a whole day's feeds in advance, even if you put them in the fridge - you should use fresh hot water for every one.

DoH leaflet describing how to do it (and giving the reasons why) is downloadable from here

(thanks to tiktok for the link)

Well i must have got away with it then!

oh yes, most people did
but a few didn't, hence the new guidance

I had a chat about this with one of my friends recently, and we laughed over a glass of wine about hoe religiously we stuck to all the instructions about filling the kettle with fresh water every time, never allowing it to reboil, then how carefully we handled all the bottles/teats/lids with tongs, measured in the water, and then slowly measured out the scoops of powder - levelling with a knife etc.
We were both so particular about it all - I didn't even heat anything in the microwave.
She reckons for every mum like us, there were probably loads of others who happlily used whatever water was in the kettle, and just counted in the formula.
I remember, if i lost count, i would chuck the whole thing out and start again - just in case!